Passages Of Light

Life! It's radiant! It's sad. It's compassion, it's passion, it's love, it's loss, it's hope, it's destiny. It's finding that one spark inside that makes life come alive like oxygen to a drowning man. What is Passages of Light? It's people who want to make a difference in the world and shed a little light on the beautiful things and tender moments in life that unite us. There is a light in each of us, and if we dared to let it shine without fear, what could the world become as a result? Passages of Light features the original poetry, writings and art of Kraig Whitesel as well as showcasing new guest artists who have a passion for beauty, photography, and art. We are all living works of art if we choose to let out the beauty that's inside. . All original work copyrighted by Passagesoflight

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Heart just like a quilt,

Patched yet full of memories,

She was so lovely.

-  Kraig Whitesel

[passagesoflight]

In the morning, you’re the fuel that drives me farther when I tire,

In the afternoon, the engine for my fire,

Throughout the day, your love shifts my spirit ever higher, 

and at night you’re the vehicle for my desire. 

Baby let’s ride!

[passagesoflight]

“The Voyager” (By Kraig Whitesel)

I guess that you won’t get to see the islands, 

or dive with turtles swimming in the glimmering bay.

You won’t watch the quokkas lying in the sunshine, 

or ever dance with the koalas as they play.

You won’t have another chance to put a smile, 

on a stranger or a friend who knows your face,

but the memories that you made won’t soon diminish, 

and the kindness left will always have a place.

As your ship enters the port of Joie du Ciel, 

and you join the souls all gathered near the quay, speak out your heart’s mind without pause or reservation. 

Sometimes the quiet ones still have the most to say.

- Kraig

[passagesoflight]

The adventure continues

I seem to get more and more messages every day asking when more art will be posted. We had a recent change in some creative personnel, but fret not, more art is being created even as we speak. As long as love, passion, art, and hope still exists in this world, and as long as there are people who want to celebrate the roller coaster adventure we call life, Passages of Light will shine on. Thanks for enjoying. - Kraig

[passagesoflight]

[Remember] - Kraig Whitesel

[passagesoflight]

"I don't love you from my heart" (Kraig Whitesel) 

I don’t love you from my heart. That’s not enough to say it.               Maybe I love you from my guts, my core, or that place in my soul that aches only when I hear your name. Like a fire in my spirit that’s set ablaze every time I think of you, remember the softness of your touch, your sweet voice, or the kindness you possess. The moments of time keep spinning, but the fire burns on unquenchable.

For all the halfways and betweens, for the things left unspoken, for the times I said too much leaving your tender heart so broken, for the times I kept my distance and treated you like a stranger, for the secrets that I kept instead of putting you in danger, it was all for you. 

For your flaws and imperfections that I still struggle to see, for the days and tender moments that will maybe never be, like a song that keeps on playing when the house is long abandoned while the memories dance right on leaving passions nearly stranded, like the starving child hungers for a dried out crust of bread, like the lonely traveller longs for just a place to lay his head, like the winds that build and build in the mightiest of storms, yet would dissipate their fury just to keep you safe and warm.

Yeah. I guess I love you like that. 

[passagesoflight]

"The Next Step" 

As she stepped onto the train, she was struck with great amazement      at the tracks that lay beneath her tiny feet. 

“How like life,” she began to ponder, “how like days so full of wonder,  each track its own, yet takes me closer to where I want to be.” 

So she continued to think upon this as she lay upon her bed, and she wondered if life would ever be like it seems, in storybooks or tales of fancy, where happy endings and real blessings come to those who never give up  on their dreams. 

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"The Harbor" 

When your heart’s on stormy seas,

and you can’t see the horizon,

I’ll make for you 

a harbor with my arms. 

When sorrow’s current drags you down,

and tries to drown all of your hopes,

I’ll give my kiss to breathe 

new life into your soul.

Come with me to the island. 

Dip your toes into water.

Feel your cares wash away 

under my caresses. 

Let’s watch the day roll bv

until it feels the hug of night, 

and count the dreams 

as we count the grains of sand.

- Kraig Whitesel - 

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"Even Her Shadows Told Stories" 

Even her shadows told stories.

It wasn’t just of darkness, 

but of depth,

and of secrets most would fear. 

Yet treasured wonders were

hidden for those who would delve

deeply enough

to peer beyond the veil 

of darkest dreams, 

and discover her  

innermost essence. 

There was beauty in the darkness. 

[passagesoflight]

Add a few more "Smiles" to the world

So this is groovy. In case you didn't know, Amazon.com will now donate a portion of the money from your orders to a charity of your choice. Just go to smile.amazon.com and choose the charity you want. Then shop as normal. As long as you use that link when you shop, they will donate to your charity. I picked St. Jude Children's Hospital, but you can choose about anything you want. Sweetness. Now I have another reason to feed my Amazon addiction. Holla!  - Kraig

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[Tiny Feet] (Words: Kraig Whitesel / Photo: Ashley Sallot)

Tiny feet and giant dreams,

Full hearts bursting at the seams,

Little toes covered in the whitest sand.

Loving arms and warmest wish,

In the mix to shape the dish,

That you'll become when you're a girl so very grand.

Socks with holes I'll have to mend,

The mad tea parties I'll attend,

In your imagination when it's allowed to freely play.

But just for now I won't ask for more,

Then to sit and hold you by the shore,

And enjoy this moment that I have with you today.

[passagesoflight]

[Think!] 

What kinds of changes,

Could we make in this world if,

We just dared to think? 

[passagesoflight]

It calls to me late at night when no one is around. It whispers ever softly, yet I hear no other sound. It says, “Take to me and have of me, I will give you all you need. Don’t you see inside it’s me alone, on which your soul can feed? Taste just a bit, and you will hear the noises start to die. Why do you push me off, you know it only makes you cry?” And in myself I do resist, and at times it’s for awhile, But the feeling is so strong, the hunger unrestrained and wild. Is there an remedy for this malady, that can recompense me ‘ere the grave, for all the days I’ve lost in time, due to the calling of the crave?

[passagesoflight]

I love the Quest poem you wrote. You don't understand how much I needed to see that right now. Its nice to see some men in this world still believe in love and romance. - Emily

Hi Emily,

Thank you for your comments. A writer's (and artist's) biggest hope is that what he creates will be as meaningful to those who experience it, as it was to him when he created it. This particular poem meant a lot to me when I wrote it, (like these words were always inside of me just waiting to burst forth and be put onto a page), so I'm glad to hear you enjoyed it. We may be a dying breed, but yes I like to think there are still some of us men who do believe in love. What's the point of life without it? It's the oxygen for the soul, and the kiln that fires passion's dream in the night. 

All the best, ;) 

Kraig  

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"You've Only Just Begun to See the Brightness of the Sun"  Words: Kraig Whitesel / Photo: Ashley Sallot "You've only just begun to see the brightness of the sun,  but I promise you that brightness you will see, and it won't take very long for you to find your joyful song, for it's been hiding in your heart since you were three.  Yet the darkness loudly brays for you to let it have the day, but it is powerless and truly has no part, for the light is always brighter than the darkest fog in night or even storms that beat upon your mortal heart. 

Yes, your soul has oft been battered and it's left you feeling tattered, and adrift without an oar or rudder true, but if you listen with your spirit, I can swear that you will hear it, and be guided on the path that's meant for you."

[passagesoflight]

New Update

More poetry/photography updates tomorrow, but for now, we have added a donate button to our site. 100% of all donations given to POL from this link will go to charities to be announced soon. Let's make the world a better place.  - Kraig

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where do you get your inspiration?

Good question. For me, it can be from many sources: a song, a feeling, an idea, a passion, a memory, a regret, or a burning idea. I tend to be really motivated by love, by causes I care about, by injustice, by the forgotten, and about anything else that pops to mind that I can’t think of right now, but will write about later. Also, Ashley’s photography has inspired many of my recent original works, as her stuff so often evokes a mood and emotion in just a frame, and I write the words as the tumble to my mind. -Kraig